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Colts schedule has plenty of highlights

Indianapolis Colts 2014 schedule

The Colts' road through the 2014 season starts in Denver and will include a challenge from Tom Brady, but Indianapolis - at least based on last season's results - has a favorable path. The Colts have the NFL's softest strength of schedule according to 2013 win-loss records, with their opponents having a .430 collective winning percentage. Here's how the 2014 season shapes up for the Colts.

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Indianapolis Colts 2014 schedule

They have the NFL's easiest schedule (on paper)

The Colts' road through the 2014 season starts in Denver and will include a challenge from Tom Brady, but Indianapolis - at least based on last season's results - has a favorable path. The Colts have the NFL's softest strength of schedule according to 2013 win-loss records, with their opponents having a .430 collective winning percentage. Here's how the 2014 season shapes up for the Colts.

Week 1

At Denver, Sept. 7, 8:30 p.m., NBC

This matchup will always have significance as long as Peyton Manning remains under center in Denver. But even more important is the fact these two could be battling for AFC supremacy.

Week 2

vs. Philadelphia, Sept. 15, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

The Eagles were among the most improved teams in the NFL last season, and coach Chip Kelly has big plans for his team in his second season in charge.

Week 3

At Jacksonville, Sept. 21, 1 p.m., CBS

Last season's trip to Jacksonville produced the Colts' most lopsided win of the season, a 37-3 yawner. Indy's past two wins in Jacksonville have come by a combined 41-point margin.

Week 4

Vs. Tennessee, Sept. 28, 1 p.m., CBS

The Ken Whisenhunt era begins in Tennessee, and the Titans will again attempt to be a factor once more in the AFC South. The coach's success in Arizona suggests he can pull it off.

Week 5

vs. Baltimore, Oct. 5, 1 p.m., CBS

The Colts have their first meeting with this opponent since losing to them in the 2012 playoffs. Arthur Jones squares off against his former team.

Week 6

at Houston, Oct. 9, 8:25 p.m., CBS, NFL

Last season's game at Houston was a nail-biter, a nerve-racking 27-24 come-from-behind victory for the Colts. They'll look to make this one less interesting.

Week 7

vs. Cincinnati, Oct. 19, 1 p.m., CBS

Andy Dalton got the better of the Colts in last season's meeting, but the Bengals faltered in the postseason. These two should be among the AFC's finest again.

Week 8

at Pittsburgh, Oct. 26, 4:25 p.m., CBS

For all their flaws, the Steelers still managed to achieve an 8-8 mark last season. Can coach Mike Tomlin help his team make a return to the playoffs

Week 9

At New York Giants, Nov. 3, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

Hakeem Nicks goes back to New York looking to make his former team pay for declining to re-sign him.

Week 11

Vs. New England, Nov. 16, 8:30 p.m., NBC

The Colts won't have forgotten last season's bitter end in Foxborough, Mass. by the time this meeting rolls around. The teams could slowly be rebuilding the rivalry.

Week 12

vs. Jacksonville, Nov. 23, 1 p.m., CBS

Jacksonville has been among the most active teams in offseason transactions. But a huge question remains: Can the Jags close the gap with the Colts.

Week 13

Vs. Washington, Nov. 30, 1 p.m., Fox

The Colts will avoid seeing DeSean Jackson vs. the Eagles, but they'll get a look at him in this matchup. Coach Jay Gruden will be seeking to get quarterback Robert Griffin III back on track.

Week 14

At Cleveland, Dec. 7, 1 p.m., CBS

How many tackles do you suppose D'Qwell Jackson might have in this game, his first against his former team after eight seasons with the Browns

Week 15

vs. Houston, Dec. 14, 1 p.m., CBS

A new quarterback will be at the helm, and the Texans look to make their series with the Colts competitive once again.

Week 16

at Dallas, Dec. 21, 4:25 p.m., CBS

The Colts get ready for the big stage with a game against one of the NFL's marquee franchises in one of the league's flashiest stadiums. Every game in Big D is big.

Week 17

At Tennessee, Dec. 28, 1 p.m., CBS

The Colts registered a come-from-behind win at Nashville last season, avoiding a major setback. Will this again be a pitfall game?

Highlights of the regular-season schedule, which was announced Wednesday by the league:

Luck vs. Manning II: Might as well get the sequel out of the way, like Sept. 7 on NBC's initial "Sunday Night Football' stage. Round 1 went to the Colts and quarterback Andrew Luck on Oct. 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium. They ruined Peyton Manning's return to Indy and derailed the previously undefeated Denver Broncos 39-33 as Luck passed for 228 yards and three touchdowns and ran for one.

The rematch comes in Manning's Denver playground, Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos are 14-2 at home the past two regular seasons with No. 18 under center and figure to be in a nasty mood. Their last game left an ugly scar: a 43-8 smackdown at the hands of Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII. It completely overshadowed Manning earning his record fifth Most Valuable Player award and setting league records with 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 yards.

Prime viewing: It should come as no surprise the NFL considers the Luck-led Colts an attractive draw. The league handed them the maximum five prime-time games, including two right out of the gate. After the Denver experience, the Colts welcome the Philadelphia Eagles into Lucas Oil Stadium Sept. 15 for ESPN's "Monday Night Football" package. The other prime-time appearances are Oct. 9 at Houston (CBS/NFL Network), Nov. 3 at the New York Giants (ESPN) and Nov. 16 against New England (NBC).

Since 2003, and excluding 2011 when Manning was sidelined with his neck issues and the team endured its 2-14 season (1-4 in prime-time games), the Colts are 33-7 when playing in a regular-season prime-time slot. They're 4-1 under Luck's leadership, including 3-1 last season.

Armed and dangerous: In the QB-driven NFL, the Colts must deal with some of the best in '14 – Peyton and younger brother Eli, who'll be eager to put his Giants' record 27-interception season behind him; New England's Tom Brady; Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger; Dallas' Tony Romo; Baltimore's Joe Flacco, Cincinnati's Andy Dalton; the Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles, and the Washington Redskins' Robert Griffin III.

As we mentioned, Peyton Manning authored a Season for the Ages in '13. Foles led the NFL with a 119.2 passer rating on the strength of 27 TDs and two interceptions. Dalton passed for 33 TDs and Romo 31.

And for those keeping score at home, Brady, Roethlisberger, the Manning boys and Flacco have combined for nine Super Bowl championships. Incredibly, at least one from that group has appeared in each of the last 11 Super Bowls.

The Luck vs. RGIII showdown Nov. 30 at Lucas Oil is the first regular-season meeting of players selected Nos. 1-2 in the 2012 draft. They met during the '12 preseason.

Controlling the division: Everything starts with winning the division. The Colts returned to the top of the AFC South last season by running away with the league's weakest division. They were the only team in the league to go undefeated in its division, an accomplishment mitigated by doing so against Houston (2-14), Jacksonville (4-12) and Tennessee (7-9).

The Colts can make inroads to consecutive division titles and a third straight playoff appearance early. The first six weeks include three divisional games, starting with a Sept. 21 visit to Jacksonville followed by a home clash with the Titans.

The Colts face the NFL's softest schedule in '14, but that's based on last season's records: opponents were 110-146 for a .430 winning percentage. And that's based on residing in the AFC South. The other easiest schedules belong to the Titans, Texans and Jaguars. Most observers expect a much more competitive division in '14.

Welcome back: What's a regular season without a few notable reunions? Boring, that's what. The league office gave us running back Trent Richardson's return to Cleveland on Dec. 7 and the Nov. 3 return of wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and running back Ahmad Bradshaw to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., home of the New York Giants. And let's not forget Week 2, when Philadelphia visits, giving General Manager Ryan Grigson an opportunity to reminisce with his former Eagles buddies. Grigson spent eight seasons as a scout, director of player personnel and general manager with the Eagles before joining the Colts in 2012.

Along with Richardson, the trip to Cleveland undoubtedly will stir memories with Rob Chudzinski and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. Chudzinski was named a special assistant to Chuck Pagano after being fired following one season as the Browns coach. Jackson's contract was terminated in February after starting 96 games for the Browns over the past eight seasons.

Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830. You can follow him on Twitter at @mchappell51.